Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring on Groundhog Day 2024
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean reports live from Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on the 'very rare' early spring prediction.
Punxsutawney Phil’s two new groundhog babies have been given names that are right on brand with Groundhog Day.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle announced on Mother's Day that the baby girl and boy groundhogs will be called Sunny and Shadow.
After the pups were born in March, members of the public submitted hundreds of name suggestions, according to TMX, which were reviewed by the club.
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In a video announcement on Facebook, club vice president Dan McGinley shared the chosen names in true Groundhog Day fashion: by reading them off a scroll.
Groundhog Day Inner Circle Vice President Dan McGinley announces the weather prognostication as groundhog handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early spring during the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Friday Feb. 2, 2024 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
"Born to royalty, a boy and a girl, names have been chosen to share with the world," he rhymed. "Welcome with us as we say hello to little girl, Sunny and a boy, Shadow."
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McGinley continued, "With pride and joy as the kids play, from Punxsutawney, Happy Mother's Day!"
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow during the Groundhog Day celebration at the Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2, 2023. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
This is the current Phil's first time being a father, even though there has been a long line of Punxsutawney Phils who’ve emerged to see their shadows since 1886.
That means these babies are not Phil’s replacement, McGinley told the Associated Press.
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"They’re not the heir apparent," he said.
"Sunny and Shadow will not be part of the ceremony — it’s still Phil’s job. There’s still only one Punxsutawney Phil."
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter, during the Groundhog Day celebration of 2023. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was established in 1887 as members believe that groundhogs predict the weather. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
On Feb. 2, 2024, Phil made the rare prediction of an early spring after not seeing his shadow.
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The public can visit Punxsutawney Phil and his new family in their climate-controlled burrow at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
TMX and the Associated Press contributed reporting.
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